Photographic print washer



Jan 30, 1951 w. H. RICHARDS I 2,539,475

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT WASHER Filed May 17, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l JNVENTOR. WALL/1W7 H. E/CH/P/EDS BY M61402, END r7? A/E/ Jan. 30 1951 w. H. RICHARDS 2,539,475

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINT WASHER Filed May 17, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. W/LL/HN H. E Cfi/7E05 W141, BY rron 7' Mai? Patented Jan. 30, 1951 UNITED STATE PATENT orrie (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 6 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the United'states Government for governmental purposes without payment to me of any royalty thereon.

The present invention relates to a photographic print washer, including apparatus to periodically replenish the washing liquid.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a photographic print washer including a washing pan, a reservoir for fresh water and au tomatic mechanism for replacing the liquid in the washing pan with fresh water from the reservoir at regular predetermined intervals of time.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement of washing pan and agitating means in a photographic print washer.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved photographic print washer capable of continuous and efficient operation and also adapted to handle a large volume of prints with no danger of print damage and a minimum of attention to the operation of the print washer itself.

Another object of the invention is to generally i improve the construction of and extend the field of usefulness of large-volume power-operated photographic print washers.

The above and other objects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation view partly in cross section of a photographic print washer constructed in accordance with the present inven tion.

Fig. 1a is a detail view in cross section showing the construction of a special agitating rib used in the washer.

Fig. 2 is an elevation view partly in cross section showing the automatic valve actuating mechanism of the present washer.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the valve actuating mechanism in another position.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

In photographic print washers it is important to maintain fresh wash water at all times, especially when a great many prints are being washed over an'extended period of time. As the wash water becomes partly saturated with developing chemicals, the efficiency of the washer is reduced accordingly, Furthermore to merely provide for a steady influx of fresh water at a moderate rate of flow is not the most desirable. answer to the problem, since the added water only dilutes the solution in the washer. The ideal method of washing is to completely replenish the water each time a batch of prints areplaced in the washer so that the washing process will be thorough, and also uniform for all prints under process. The washer of the present invention accomplishes this result by automatically replacing the contaminated wash water at regular intervals of time.

For a description of the washer reference is .made to Fig. 1. The washer frame comprises three main upright posts or pillars l, 2 and 3 arranged around the center of the washer at degree intervals. In plan the washeris of generally circular shape, this general outline being determined by the shape of the various pans to be described. The adjacent pillars are connected near the floor level by braces or bars d which form an equilateral triangle in plan view. At a convenient height above the fioor level the pillars are also connected by bars 5, which serve as supports for the washing pan or tank 6. Above the pan 6 the pillars are further connected by bars 1, which serve as supports for the reservoir pan 8. Mounted concentrically within the circular washing pan 5 for limited rotary motion is a circular agitating tray 9, having perforated walls to allow free circulation of washing liquid. The tray bottom is provided with three or more fixed, radially extending ribs H! of angular cross section to assist in agitating the wash water as the tray 9 is rotated back and forth about its center. These ribs, which are shown in detail Fig. 1a, produce a vertical reaction on the water as the tray 9 is moved within the body of water and the re..

sulting upward currents or waves help very materially in stirring up the water and producing constant agitation thereof. The ribs Ill help to stifien the bottom Wall of tray 9 and also provide means to keep diiferent batches of prints segregated during the washing process. The photographic prints to be washed are placed face upward on the bottom of the tray 9 after the pan 6 has been filled with water to approximately the leve1 L. The top edge of the agitating tray 9 is flanged inwardly at H to prevent waterfrom splashing over the edge and onto the washer operator. The various features and accessories required to rotatably mount the tray 9 and to cause continuous agitating movement "thereof will now be described.

At the bottom of the pan 5 there is rigidly secured a tubular bracket i2, having two or more tray supporting rollers l3 journaled thereon. The tray 9 has a large central opening therein within which is secured an upright sleeve M, which may be welded to the bottom of the tray 9. The sleeve l4 carries an integral bearing surface l5 providing a circular track for the rollers l3, and thus serving to rotatably support the central portion of tray 9. At its outer periphery the tray 9 is provided with three or more rollers I6 having rubber sleeves or tires mounted thereon. These rollers |3 are adapted to roll back and forth on the rolled upper edge of the side wall of pan 6, thus serving to support the tray 9 at its outer periphery. At one point on its outer pe riphery the tray 9 has a bracket; ll fixed rigidly thereon. Secured to the outer end of the bracket I! is the outer end of a radius arm l8 having its lower inner end fixed to a bearing sleeve l9 rotatably mounted at the central axis of the pan 6 and tray 9. The pivot for the bearing Sleeve l9 is preferably mounted on an auxiliary bracing arm extending from one pillar horizontally to the center point of one of the bars 4. For further strengthening of the radius arm Hi, there is provided another arm rigidly secured to the vertical outer portion of arm l8 and to the bearing sleeve IS.

The driving mechanism for the agitating tray 9 and radius arm l8 comprises a base plate 2| mounted horizontally on the bars 4 and carrying a motor 22 and coupled reducing gear 23. Mounted on the reducing gear housing is a stub shaft 24 driven from the reducing gear by bevels 25 and 25'. Through a belt 26 the stub shaft 24 drives another stub shaft 21 having a crank arm 28 rigidly attached thereto. Pinned on the outer end of crank arm 28 is a connecting rod 23 secured to a vertical bar 30. The bar 30 is pivoted at its upper and lower ends to the arms 20 and I8 respectively. For purposes of illustration it may be assumed that the shaft 2'! turns at thirty revolutions per minute. Therefore the radius arm |8 will move back and forth a limited distance, depending on the length of crank arm 28, thirty times each minute and the agitating tray will partake of the same oscillating motion as the attached radius arm l8. The structural details of the driving mechanism and the details of the agitating tray 9 are more completely disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 144,274, filed February 15, 1950, now Patent Number 2,523,331.

The fresh Water supply is received from an inlet pipe 3| which discharges into the reservoir pan 8 and. is provided with a valve 32 to regulate the steady flow from the pipe into the reservoir. The rate of inflow will determine to a large extent the rapidity of the water replenishing cycle for the washer itself. Extending through the bottom wall of the pan 8 are two diametrically opposite outlet tubes 33 and 34 which extend above the bottom wall different distances, as shown in Fig. 1. The upper end portions of these tubes provide siphons in conjunction with the associated cap members 33 and 34' mounted in fixed position over the upper ends of tubes 33 and 34 in spaced relation thereto as shown. Since the tubes 33 and 34 are Open at their lower ends, the fresh water in reservoir 8 may fill up within cap members 33 and 34' until it reaches the upper ends of the tubes whereupon it will start to flow down inside the outlet tubes and start the siphon action of the respective tubes. This siphon action will continue until the water reaches the lower open ends of the cap members.

'The use of the two siphon devices will be described below. At the center of reservoir 8 there 2, is a depressed circular portion 35, into which the contents of the reservoir tend to drain on emptying. Through the center of the depressed por tion 35 extends a large conduit 36 fixed with respect to the bottom wall of the reservoir. At its lower end the conduit 36 carries a pan 3? to receive water from the conduit 36 and allow it to overflow into the washing tank 6. Loosely mounted over the elevated top portion of the conduit 36 is a heavy movable cap 38, having a thick rubber gasket 38' secured against the upper wall thereof. The upper wall of the cap 38 has a small central socket formed therein to receive the upper end of a vertical push rod 39. The push rod and actuating mechanism therefor are supported by a bracket at: securely bolted to the top of the tubular bracket l2. Included in the actuating means are two oppositely extending arms 4| and 42 which are pivoted on the bracket 4|! and which carry buckets 4| and 42 on the outer ends thereof in such positions as to receive water from the reservoir outlet tubes 33 and 36. Fixed within the tubular bracket |2 there is a drain tube 43 extending downwardly to a trap chamber 44. The trap device 44 comprises a closed container 45 provided with an outlet 45. The lower end of the tube 43 extends down within the container 45 and carries a trap pan 26, the upper edge of the pan extending above the lower end of tube 43. It is to be understood that the lower circular end of tubular bracket i2 is elevated above the bottom wall of washing pan 6 or otherwise provided with discharge openings. so that the contaminated Wash water may siphon out through the outlet tube 43 when the upper end of the tube is opened by action of a poppet type of valve to be described below.

For a description of the valve actuating apparatus mounted on the central bracket 4|], reference is made to Figs. 2, 3 and 4 wherein the various elements are shown about one-half actual size. The bracket includes a mounting flange A3 at the lower end, which is apertured to receive bolts for securing the bracket to the upper end of the tubular bracket l2. The lower portion of the bracket 49 is centrally apertured to receive a bushing 59 which serves as a bearing for the valve stem 5|. Slidably mounted within the stem 5| is an auxiliary valve stem 52 normally urged downwardly with respect to stem 5| by a coil spring 53. The stem 52, which carries a poppet valve member 54 at its lower end, is limited in its motion with respect to the stem 5| by means of a pin and slot connection 52. Mounted on the auxiliary stem 52 at the lower end of stem 5| is a stop assembly including a metal disk 55 and a rubber disk 56 adapted to abut the lower end of bushing 59 in the open position of valve 54 (see Fig. 3). At the upper end of stem 5i there is a cross-pin connected to the lower end of a link member 58 of a toggle assembly including another link 59 pivoted to the bracket 40 at 52. The links 58 and 59 are connected together by a pivot 60. The cross-pin 57 is restrained to move vertically by its engagement with a pair of slots 62 and 62 formed in opposite side portions 8| and SI of the bracket 49. The upper ends of the slots 62 and 62' also function as stop means for toggle 58, 59 in the valve open position of Fig. 3. The toggle 58, 53 is stopped in the other extreme position (Fig. 2) by engagement between opposite side portions of link 59 with shoulders formed at opposite sides of the link 58 by recessing the latter link to receive the side portions of link 59. One of these stop shoulders egesemt isihdic'ate'd atfi 3jin 2'. "Theaction of-the .togglej'8',l 59 is assisted by a pair'of coil springs also assist in bringing them to this position more forcibly in order to actuate the various parts of the mechanism.

The toggle link 58, which actuates the drain valve54, includes a cam portion 53 and also carries an actuating roller 58". The cam 58" is adapted to be engaged by the actuating lever 12' pivoted at 12' and thus cause movement of the toggle 58,59 away from the position of Fig. 2 to' the position of Fig. 3, when sufficient weight of water collects in the bucket 42' on arm42. As the toggle breaks to the left the roller 58 rotates another actuating lever H about its pivot point 71. This results in downward movement of the push rod 39. As may be seen in Figs. 2 and 3 the actuating levers H and i2 carry the arms '41 and 42 having buckets 4i and 42 mounted thereon. It is also noted that actuation of the; toggle 58, 59 from the position of Fig. 2 to the'posi tion of Fig. 3 raises the lower end of link 58 and also lifts the poppet valve 54- off the top of drain tube 4 3. I-t is further noted that the buckets 4 I and 42 pivotallymountedonarms 4! and 42 are provided with small drain holes in the bottom walls thereof, so that if not being filled from the reservoir outlet tubes 33 and 34 these buckets will very soon empty themselves. It is also noted that bucket H" is larger than bucket 42, so that-when filled with water it may easily overbalance the bucket 42' and force the valve actuating mechanism from the position of Fig.3 back to the position of Fig. 2. Attention is called to the presence of four separate siphons in the Washer. tubular bracket I2 serves to carry away contarninated waterrapidly from the washing pan '6. Another including discharge conduit 36 and cap member. 38 serves to carry fresh water from the reservoir 8 down to the washing pan 6 when the cap member is lifted out of contact with the upper end of conduit 36. The other two siphons are formed by'the water outlet tubes 33 and 34 having caps. 33 and 34' secured thereover. The

' latter two siphonsare always ready to start as The bucket 42 is full of water since the water level L in reservoir 8 is well above the top of tube 34, and the bucket 4! is empty since the water level in the reservoir has not yet reached the top of tube 33. It is understood that the rate of water inflow from the pipe 3| is considerably greater than the outflow from the tube 34, so

that the reservoir continues to fill even after the siphon action of tube 34 starts. Since the poppet valve 54' has been lifted off the upper end of drain tube 43 by the action of the valve actuating One including drain tube 43 and 33 directly into the larger bucket 4 l and 4.

the dotted line position (Fig. 1).

I mechanism, the contaminated wash water in pan Bis-being rapidly siphoned out and carried away at the same time the fresh water level in reservoir 8 is rising toward the upper end of outlet tube 33. There may be a brief period when the pan 6 is completelyempty but this merely'insures removal of all the contaminated water before a fresh supply is allowed to flow down from the reservoir 8. After all the water has been drawn from the pa'n-Gthat can b'e'removed by the siphon action of tube 34, the water level in the reservoir Sfinally reaches the-topof outlet tube 33. Water th'enstarts to siphon through cap 33' and tube When this bucket fills 'up the weight thereof overbalances the force due to the water bucket 42, thus straightening the toggle 58, 53 against the force of "springs 64 and 64 and bringing the valve actuating mechanism to the position of Figs. '2 Now the push rod 39 will be in the elevated position to open the top of tube 36 and start the siphon action thereof. This. siphon action will continue until the water level in the reservoir reaches the bottom edge of cap member r -38, now raised slightly from the position of Fig. 1.

The poppet valve 54 being in closed position, the fresh water which now fills the washing tank 3 will remain there until the water replenishing cycle is started again. The buckets 4i and 42 will soon empty themselves because of the drain holes therein but the valve actuating mechanism including toggle assembly 53, 59 will remain in I the position of Figs. 2 and 4 because of the greater weight of the larger bucket 4|, which is now in The smaller bucket 42 is also in the dotted line position (Fig. 1) ready to receive water from the outlet tube 34 when the water level in reservoir 8 reaches the upper end of the tube 34. Filling of thi latter bucket by the siphon action of tube 34 acts to reverse the valve actuating mechanism to the any case the rate of how should always be great enough to allow the reservoir 8 to continue filling even after water is escaping from the outlet tube 34 to fill the bucket 42 Even though the rate of how is set to cause replacing of the water only after a period of time, for example ten minutes,

the actual time required to drain and refill the Washing pan is not very long since the now capacity of the tubes 36 and 43 is relatively large. It is noted that although there is a steady inflow of fresh water from the pipe 3! into the reservoir 8, the siphon action of discharge tube 35 stops when the reservoir is substantially empty because the volume of water flowing into the reservoir is not enough to maintain the siphon action of the tube 36 and cap member 38. As air begins to enter the lower end of the cap member 38 the self-sustaining siphon action is terminated until thenext cycle. It should be noted that the cap member 38 is a relatively heavy structure and therefore the weight of the cap member maintains the gasket 38' tightly seated against the upper end of the tube 38 as long as the push rod 39 is in the lower one of its two positions.

Referring again to the overflow pan 3'! and the trap device 44 at the lower ends of tubes 36 and 4-3 respectively, it is noted that these elementsma'ke thesiphon action of the tubes more certain and reliable. The flow in the tubes begins when the water level is above the upper ends thereof but to maintain the flow and siphon all the water out of the respective pans or tanks, the tubes 36 and 43 should be kept full of water during the time the siphon action is to be maintained. This is done by providing the pan 3'5 at the lower end of tube 36 and the pan 46 at the lower vend of tube 43. The first water to fiow from the tubes will fill the respective pans above the lower ends of the tubes and thus act to prevent the how of air into the tubes. The flowing column of water in the tubes will thus produce a suction efiect and completely empty the respective pans to the level of the lower ends of the cap members surrounding the upper ends of the siphon tubes 36 and 43. The relatively large diameters of the Isiphon tubes 35 and 43 make the use of the pans 31 and 46 desirable. The extent of elevation of the reservoir pan 8 may vary considerably, but aheight of six or seven feet above the floor is considered to be ample in most cases. Between the flow periods of the siphon tubes 38 and 43, the water which has collected in the pans 31 and 45 may flow out through drain openings 31 and 46'. The opening 3'? also provides clearance for the push rod 39 as it is operated up and down by the valve actuating mechanism carried on bracket 40.

Noting again the trap device 44, the container 45 is preferably closed except for the tube 43 and the drain 5%. The latter should lead to an open drain sump rather than to a closed conduit or a conical rubber seating portion, or the top of tube 43 may have a rubber gasket secured thereon. While the present washer has been discribed as for use in washing photographic prints, it may if desired be put to other uses in fluid treatment of various parts or materials. graphic processes it may be put to various uses where suitable solutions are supplied from the reservoir 8, instead of pure water. The most important feature of the apparatus is the automatic liquid replenishing means explained in detail Even in photoliquid into said reservoir, a first overflow means above the bottom of said reservoir, a second overflow means above the bottom of said reservoir and above said first overflow means, a first movable arm having a first bucket mounted thereon in position to receive liquid from said first overflow means, a second movable arm having a second and larger bucket mounted thereon in position to receive liquid from said second overflow means, means to empty said buckets after liquid has ceased to flow thereinto from said overflow means, a valve actuating mechanism having said movable arms connected thereto, means connecting said mechanism to said valves eifective to simultaneously open said first valve and close said second valve when liquid flows from said first overflow means filling said first bucket and to simultaneously close said first valve and open said second valve when liquid flows from said second overflow means filling said second bucket, to thereby replace the washing liquid in said washing pan at regular time intervals as determined by the rate of said steady flow of liquid into said reservoir.

2. In a washing apparatus for photographic prints, a washing pan adapted to hold washing liquid and a quantity of said prints, a liquid reservoir positioned above said washing pan, a first siphon for removing contaminated liquid from said washing pan, a first valve to control said first siphon, a second siphon for transferring liquid from 7 said reservoir to said washing pan, a second valve above, although the general arrangement of the washing pan, agitating tray and agitating mechanism also contributes to the general eflectiveness and productive capacity of the washer.

The embodiments of the invention herein shown and described are to be regarded as illustrative only and it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible to variations, modifications and changes within the scope of the appended claims.

to control said second siphon, means providing a steady flow of liquid into said reservoir, a first overflow means above the bottom of said reservoir, a second overflow means above the bottom of said reservoir and above said first overflow means, a first movable arm having a first bucket mounted thereon in position to receive liquid from said first overflow means, a second movable. arm having a second and larger bucket mounted thereon in position to receive liquid from said second overflow means, means providing drain holes in said buckets to empty said buckets after'liquid has ceased to fiow thereinto from said overflow means, a valve actuating mechanism having said movable arms connected thereto, means connecting said mechanism to said valves efiective to simultaneously open said first valve and close said second valve when liquid flows from said first overflow means filling said first bucket and to simultaneously close said first valve and open said second valve when liquid fiows from said second overflow means filling said second bucket, to thereby replace the washing liquid in said washing pan at regular time intervals as determined by the rate of said steady flow of liquid into said reservoir.

3. In a washing apparatus, a washing pan adapted to receive and hold washing liquid and material to be washed, a liquid reservoir positioned above said washing'pan, a drain tube for removing contaminated liquid from said washing pan, a first valve to control the flow of liquid from said drain tube, an outlet tube for transferring liquid from said reservoir to said washing pan, a second valve to control the flow of liquid from said outlet tube, means providing a steady flow of liquid into said reservoir, a first overflow means above the bottom of said reservoir, a second overflow means above the bottom of said reservoir and above said first overflow means, a first movable arm having a first bucket pivotally mounted thereon in position to receive liquid from said overflow means, a second movable arm hav ing a second and larger bucket pivotally mounted thereon in position to receive liquid from said second overflow means, each of said buckets being provided with a drain hole to empty said buckets after liquid. has ceased to flow thereinto from said overflow means, actuating means extending from said second movable arm to said second valve, actuating means for said first valve including a pair of toggle links one of which is engaged at opposite edges by extensions fixed on said movable arms, whereby either arm responds to the weight of liquid in its associated bucket to move and in turn move the toggle links and. the other arm so as to simultaneously open said first valve and close said second valve when liquid flowing from said first overflow means fills said first bucket and to simultaneously close said first valve and open said second valve when liquid flowing from said second overflow means fills said second and larger bucket, to thereby replace the washing liquid in said washing pan at regular time intervals as determined by the rate of steady flow of liquid into said reservoir.

4. In a washing apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said outlet tube for transferring liquid from said reservoir to said washing pan has its upper end located above the bottom of said reservoir and between the levels of said first and second overflow means.

5. In a washing apparatus, a washing pan adapted to receive and hold washing liquid and material to be washed, a liquid reservoir positioned above said washing pan, a drain tube for removing contaminated liquid from said washing pan, a first valve to control the fiow of liquid from said drain tube, an outlet tube for transferring liquid from said reservoir to said washing pan, a second valve to control the flow of liquid in said outlet tube, means providing a steady flow of fresh liquid into said reservoir, a first overflow means above the bottom of said reservoir, a second overflow means above the bottom of said reservoir and above said first overflow means, and a valve actuating mechanism including a first means responsive to flow of liquid from said first overflow means to simultaneously open said first valve and close said second valve and including a second means responsive to flow of liquid from said drain tube, an outlet tube for transferring liquid from said reservoir to said washing pan, a second valve to control the flow of liquid from said outlet tube, means providing a steady flow of fresh liquid into said reservoir, a valve actuating mechanism including a first means responsive to one predetermined liquid level in said reservoir to simultaneously open said first valve and close said second valve and including a secand means responsive to another predetermined liquid level in said reservoir above said one level to simultaneously close said first valve and open said second valve, to thereby replace the washing liquid in said washing pan at regular time intervals as determined by the rate of steady flow of liquid into said reservoir.

WILLIAM H. RICHARDS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 440,325 Richards Nov. 11, 1890 537,968 Dorticus Apr. 23, 1895 1,006,278 Richardson Oct. 17, 1911 1,114,909 Pelton Oct. 27, 1914 2,321,435 Swartz June 8, 1943 2,325,255 Lenz July 27, 1943 2,460,425 Mace Feb. 1, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 611,511 France Oct. 12, 1926 

